NSEN Receives $3000 from Truro ($2000) and Halifax ($1000) Health Boards to deliver second Mi’kmaq Circle Series on the Connection between Environmental and Human Health.

Halifax Central Library invites NSEN to coordinate a second Mi’kmaq Talking Circle Series for the Fall of 2018! Comments from the attendees at the first series include: “Very moving and thought provoking”! “One more reason to love the library!” “Excellent! More please!”! “Beautiful intimate experience.”

NSEN Representatives, Sheila Cole, Kelly Schnare and Joanne Light met with Environment Minister, Iain Rankin to discuss ways to activate the Environmental Trust Fund and utilize the Network as a conduit between Government and Environmental Organizations.

NSEN representatives are working with our national counterpart, RCEN, to convince the federal government to restore the Environmental Network core funding that the Harper government cancelled.

The NSEN board has met with five new board members in an information gathering and disseminating session on Feb. 3rd. An orientation for board members, followed by a special members meeting will be upcoming. Details to follow. We’re still looking for representation from Cape Breton, Southwest Nova, Cumberland/ Colchester/ Antigonish region. Contact Joanne Light if you’re interested: jonilight3@yahoo.ca.

Four Circles of Life: Earth, Air, Water and Fire Learning Mi’kmaq Perspectives to Protect our Environment for Future Generations

The Nova Scotia Environmental Network, the Peace and Friendship Alliance and the Halifax Central Library present four talking circle sessions led by four esteemed Mi’kmaq teachers to build right relationships. The traditional Native American non-hierarchical way to solve problems is to allow people to express honestly from the heart. In turn, holding a special object, each may speak on the topic introduced, in this context, by the Mi’kmaw teacher, or pass without speaking. When everyone has spoken as many times as they wish, the teacher ends the circle.

Together, we built some great momentum towards protecting our land, air, and water here in NS and revitalizing the value of the NSEN. We are learning so much together about the proper processes needed for reconciliation with our local Mi’Kmaw community members. We are especially grateful for Elder Albert Marshall’s wisdom shared and Mi’kmaw Conservation Group staff’s contributions and patience.

A huge thank you to our event sponsor Nova Scotia Culture, and our supporters NSCC Truro Campus, Divert NS, Patagonia and Lush Cosmetics North America for the beautiful gifts, and Just Us! Coffee for the donated coffee and tea. Thank you to our site hosts Town of Truro and Glengarry Inn! Gold Island Bakery and Red Knot Bakery provided delicious food on Saturday and we were in awe of the Eastern Eagle drummers and Liliona’s water dance Friday evening in beautiful Victoria Park.

Finally, thank you to CBEMN (Community Based Environmental Monitoring Network), Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute, Sierra Club Atlantic Canada Chapter, Clean Annapolis River Project, Dorene Bernard with Peace and Friendship Alliance for contributions with the organising. Reporting on the event will be widely shared using graphics recording from Mind’s Eye Creative Consulting & Facilitation (Ashton Rhodenhiser) and facilitator lessons from Bernice Williams.

Have a look at our updated poster! Please to announce Elder Albert Marshall and Silver Donald Cameron will be our guest speakers.

We are excited to announce that registration is now open for the Nova Scotia Environmental Network two day gathering “Eco Connects NS”: September 22nd (Friday) and 23rd (Saturday) in Truro, NS, funded by Department of Communities, Culture, and Heritage.“A gathering to celebrate and build capacity for environmental conservation in NS”What: Four themes: coastal, water, energy & climate, and forests. Panel discussions, children’s events, entertainment, caucus meetings, and moreWhen: Sept. 22nd and 23rd (Friday/Saturday)Where: Glengary Inn and Douglas Street Community Centre, Truro, NS

As Nova Scotians, we are facing increasingly complex times when it comes to protecting, restoring, and managing our diverse ecosystems that sustain our economy and well-being. NSEN is in a stage of reinvigoration and is developing its role as the supporter and convener for people and organisations that promote environmental conservation across Nova Scotia. As part of this effort, we are following up with our government on the unused $350,000 Environmental Trust Fund in Nova Scotia in hopes that we can find a way to make it accessible.

At Eco Connects NS, we aim to build capacity for environmental conservation across Nova Scotia by bringing together diverse stakeholders, celebrating what’s been done, identifying the gaps, and revisiting and building on provincial EGSPA strategies (under themes of Water, Coasts, Forests, and Energy/Climate Change). We are inviting leaders from non-profit organisations, provincial/municipal/federal government, First Nations organisations, researchers, youth, and general public to join in the conversations and participate in reinvigorating the Network and our collective capacity to conserve our environment.

On Friday the 22nd (Glengary Inn), we will have presentations on the EGSPA strategies, networking opportunities, strategy-building sessions, and live Friday evening entertainment in Victoria Park. On Saturday the 23rd (Douglas Street Community Centre) there will be participant-led capacity building workshops, panel discussion, and Caucus meetings.

The Nova Scotia Environmental Network is comprised of non-governmental environmental and health groups whose common purpose is the conservation and enhancement of the natural environment and the pursuit of a sustainable future for Nova Scotia.

There are approximately 60 environmental organizations in the Network. NSEN facilitates the forming of caucuses and working groups among its members, such as on Environmental & Sustainability Education, Water, and Climate Change.